Football Saturday Hot Dogs!

Though not Sunday supper, college football Saturday tailgating is special! I am at my parents' home now where we are a divided family: Clemson Tigers fans and UNC Tar Heels fans. Tigers & Heels played Saturday... the orange family contingent are happy and the blue contingent is, well, blue! Heels got blown out.

But delicious hotdogs came to the rescue! For a crowd, there's nothing easier & better than cooking them in the slow cooker.

Game Day Slow Cooker Hot Dogs
Spray slow cooker with cooking spray (Pam or such)
Place hotdogs in cooker. If you like sauerkraut, spread sauerkraut first and then top with hotdogs. Cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for 3-4 hours until lightly browned.

Southern Hot Dog Chili
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 chopped onion (optional)
3/4 cup ketchup
2 Tablespoons prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste

Brown beef and cook onion in olive oil until beef is well browned. Mash with potato masher to make small crumbles. Add ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and salt & pepper. You may add more ketchup or Worcestershire sauce (or even a tiny bit of water) if you desire a thinner consistency. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Patti's Bonanza Baked Beans
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup bacon bits/pieces or about 6 slices cooked and crumbled
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (16 ounce) can great Northern beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can baked beans
1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup packed brown sugar (I use Splenda brown sugar)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is carmelized; drain excess grease and transfer to a large mixing bowl with the bacon.
3. Add all the beans to the bacon. Stir in ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and black pepper. Mix well and transfer to a lightly greased 9x12 inch casserole dish.
4. Cover and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.
NOTE: If you want more spicy baked beans, you can add tabasco or chili powder to taste.